Adventure With Floof…at The Track!

That, is Biscuit. Biscuit, likes to go on “BIG adventures!” His adventures, have brought him, and his humans to many abandoned spots. Usually, he is free to roam on his own, but we always say “safety first”, so please, always know, that his pretty-paws, are safe, and never harmed in the making of photos or videos.

The building, a bit busted, somewhat blemished, but perfectly, imperfect, hides within the mountains of a New England State, sitting on over 100 acres. At this point, it’s been abandoned longer than when it was ever alive. It was alive, and thrived for 28 years. The property, closed over 30 years ago, in the early 90s. A year after it closed, it was host to a popular music festival. Since then, some events of the smaller scale, were held here, but the fewer, and farther between. Originally for the gambling, and probably some rambling, you could bet on thoroughbred horses, starting in the early 60s. Since horse racing became an unpopular gamble, with animal rights activist’s, horses, no longer fit the bill, and, instead racing dogs were brought in. Because that’s better? This was popular from the mid-70s, until the 90s, when ultimate decision was made to close, in credit, again, to the animal activists. On a fateful evening, in the fall, of 2020, the grand stands were set ablaze, probably starting on the lowest level. Surrounding towns had fire departments, that were dispatched to help; arson was suspected. Heavily destroyed by the flames, the building, now just a decaying, rusting skeleton.

If you’re here on a windy day, the stands will howl, almost as they’re trying to tell the tale, of all it’s seen, in its short but long life. Nature is taking over on the ground floor, winding and weaving it’s way through the underbelly.

Water, spits its way through the orifices, of the structure…drip, drip, drip, on each floor, making small pools on the cement flooring. Remnants remain of antique cash registers, that survived the fire, now all rusted out. I fancied the escalator, most of all, still in tact, surviving the fire. There was a snack bar, in addition to small little brunch restaurant, that offered such items as omelettes, pancakes, club sandwiches, and shrimp cocktail. Menus were found strewn about the floor, and wherever else they seemed to fall. The top brings offices that are slanted, and ready to go down, near where the burnin’ ring o’ fire happened.

The grounds have been foreclosed on. Legally, the town cannot force its current owners, to demolish the building. Leaving it to ride out what Mother Nature brings. Maybe saving some of its secrets, and stories for other days.

Until next time, friends….